The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is re-opening the public comment period for the Ballast Water Management 2016 rulemaking.

DEQ previously held a public comment period on these proposed rules from April 15, 2016 through May 23, 2016.

DEQ is re-opening the public comment period beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 20, 2016. DEQ will accept public comments on these proposed rules until 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2016.

Summary

DEQ proposes the following changes to OAR 340, division number 143 that will:

•  Require vessel operators to conduct a mid-ocean saltwater flush of empty ballast tanks prior to ballasting and subsequently de-ballasting from such tanks while in state waters, and

•  Retain ballast water exchange requirements, in addition to meeting new federal ballast water discharge standards, for a subset of vessel arrivals that represent a high risk for transporting aquatic invasive species to low-salinity harbors in Oregon.

DEQ also proposes changes to OAR 340, division number 35, DEQ noise control regulations. The changes will move tables and reference documents from a source that is external to the official published version of the rules and incorporate those documents into the official published version of the rules on the Oregon Secretary of State’s web page.

In 1991 the Oregon Legislature withdrew all funding for implementing and administering DEQ’s noise regulations. (See OAR 340-035-0110.) DEQ therefore ended its noise control program, although the noise control regulations remain in effect. In response to budget reductions, DEQ no longer conducts a noise control program or enforces the noise control regulations. DEQ has no funding or program to respond to noise complaints, to provide advice about noise issues or to interpret the noise regulations. Local governments may choose to enforce the noise regulations.

The changes DEQ is proposing for the noise regulations are purely administrative to make it easier for the public to access information about these rules. These changes do not indicate any change in DEQ policy or practice concerning the noise regulations. DEQ still does not have a noise control program or have funding or the ability to enforce, apply or interpret the noise regulations, or to investigate noise issues or complaints.

Additional Information

To view copies of the notice documents, learn more about this rulemaking, and how to submit comments, you can view the rulemaking web page at: Ballast water rulemaking.

If you want to receive future email notices about this rulemaking, you must sign up at: DEQ GovDelivery.

You can also obtain more information about this rulemaking by contacting:

Rian vanden Hooff
hoof.rian@deq.state.or.us
503-229-6865

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